United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to advocate for the protection of children’s rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. UNICEF insists that the survival, protection and development of children are universal development imperatives that are integral to human progress. UNICEF contributes to progress the survival, development, protection and participation of children, working with Governments and other partners in 156 countries and territories.

UNICEF has been in Nigeria since 1953 to address the needs of Nigerian children. Today, the country programme is present in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory in the areas of health, nutrition, basic education, water and sanitation and protection issues. All the programmes are represented in at least three LGAs in every state.

Health and Nutrition
The Survival and Early Child Care programme addresses the survival rights of children from conception to five years of age, with the aim of reducing under-five mortality rates by 20 per cent by 2008. High levels of child mortality and morbidity in Nigeria can be prevented with simple, affordable measures such as immunisation, micronutrient supplementation, exclusive breastfeeding and improved nutritional practices, the use of insecticide-treated malaria bed nets and the prevention of HIV transmission from parent to child.

Basic Education
UNICEF’s Education programme aims to contribute to at least a 20 per cent improvement in net primary school enrolment, retention and attainment rates. The child-friendly schools component aims to improve the school environment rate, the style and quality of teaching in schools. Emphasis is also placed on increasing access and achievement for girls in school, especially in the north of Nigeria. Closely linked with the education programme is the provision of water and proper sanitation facilities in schools, to improve child health and to encourage girls to continue their education.

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene
The goal of the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programme aims to create 8800 safe water sources by the end of 2008, including 1200 sources in schools and learning areas. The programme combines the installation of new water points with the upgrading and renovation of existing facilities. UNICEF supports the installation of sanitary facilities in communities and schools and the programme will have benefited to at least 4000 communities by the end of 2008. Hygiene education in schools and communities is also an important component.

Protection and Participation
Child protection is a broad programme that provides the foundation for other areas of the country programme. Advocacy and technical support to the government are two of the key strategies used to ensure Nigeria meets the obligations of the Convention on the Rights of the child. An important achievement was the adoption of the Child Rights Act in 2003 at the federal level. Today, UNICEF Nigeria encourages all 36 states to pass the Child Rights Act in order to address the situations of trafficked children, child labourers and orphaned and vulnerable children. UNICEF also collaborates with the National Youth Service Corps, training young people as peer educators to inform and spread messages on HIV/AIDS prevention.

Planning and Communication
In order to support the different programme areas, surveys and evaluations are carried out to monitor basic indicators. In 2007, UNICEF supported a major national household survey with the National Bureau of Statistics, the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, a tool developed by UNICEF to UNICEF to assist countries in monitoring MDGs, maternal and child well-being. children and women. UNICEF also advises the government on preparing and responding to potential emergencies. UNICEF supported the State Government of Ogun, Lagos, Bauchi, Plateau and Anamba to assist people affected by flood.

All programme areas have community communication, education and social mobilisation elements, including awareness raising campaigns. UNICEF also establishes partnerships with national media to educate the public on children’s rights.

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